Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Aight, lemme give you my backround first.
14 years old, 8th grade. 3 leopard geckos, 1 red eared slider, 1 ball python. Now I am looking into a sociable lizard to get. Leaning towards iguanas...
If I were to get one could I have it free roaming in my room, maybe one of those tall cat posts and a basking bulb set up for it. Then at night I could put it in a cage. My room is surronded by windows on 3 sides overlooking a private backyard. I think a iguana would have a hell of a time living with me. I also have 4 cats and a dog, the cats usually don't come into my room. So any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Owen

PS better in my hands then some impulsive 9 year old...
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Iguanas require a LOT of work. You cant just have a basking bulb and cat tower set up. First of all the bulb would have to be a bulb emitting both heat and ultra violet rays. Also, iguanas living in the tropics like it really humid. Its hard to control humidity in a special iguana room, or in a small enclosure even. In your room it would be even harder and could ruin your electronical stuff. Not to mention iguanas require a very nutritious diet rich in greens and multiple types of greens. These guys get huge also, 6 feet and sometimes bigger, and can be agressive. Iguanas can be 'social' i suppose, however, they can also get nasty and are very hard to care for. My iguana gets freaked out by my cat and dogs and i only let the two see eachother when i have complete control and can quickly tackle my dog or cat if they go after the iguana, and my iguana is almost 4 feet. So i'd day the cats and dogs would have to be kept outside. Hmmm, all in all id say letting it free roam in your room is a bad idea, it would wander your room too, youd have to iguana-proof things, and it would probably poop in very inconvenient areas... my iguana has a bathroom set up and he comes wandering in my room now and then, he always poops in the worst places. Sorry you had to hear it from me. If you want a sociable pet and you dont want a mammal birds are pretty socialable and they evolved from reptiles!

ps thats a picture taken about 1.5 years ago when i first 'rescued' him, he was found in a backyard in orlando florida, he was pretty thin and had a few broken toes along with a regrown tail. Hes very large now and becoming a real man showing off his orange coloration.

I think posting a picture like that will make him want an iguana even more.LOL. Nice Iggy.

the thing to keep in mind is that not all iguanas are "sociable" some are far from it to be exact. my local shop used to have one that was as mean as all hell. and igunas seem to remeber every little thing and they will hold a grudge against you.

also iguanas are alot of work. and i mean alot.. a little baby igg doesnt really eat alot but wait until your have a 6 foot long garbage disposal. they will eat everything.

and letting your igg free roam all day isnt really a good idea. it is ussually bad for them. as they are not always close to the heat/uvb light. so he will will not always be warm enough. also what would happen if your cat got in your room by accident? you will either have one mad cat or a very pissed and unhappy iguana. and one big vet bill either way..

just read and read before you buy.. and look into adopting. also remember that they live along time around 15 years so if you are __ years old how old will you be in 15 years? are you going to college? what will you do with him if you do? what will you do if you go on vacation? it is all of these little things you have to look at.

Mike D

If you have any other questions feel free to email me @ zombie2979@aol.com or talk to me on aim @ zombie2979

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